Saturn Outlook overheating

RIZICH2001

MEMBER

2007 SATURN OUTLOOK

6 CYL

2WD

AUTOMATIC

52,000 MILES

I recently took our Saturn Outllok tot he dealership because of transmission shifting problem. After the service tech diagnosed the problem it was determined that power train control module needed to be replaced. It took 2 weeks to get the part but it was finally completed and I picked up the truck on a Friday evening (dealer is less than 5 minutes from home).
We did not drive it much on Saturday maybe 10 miles total. On Sunday we took it out to run some errands (very hot day). We stopped to pick up a few drinks @ the drive thru and while in the line the warninglights starting going off. The traction control turned off, the engine power was reduced, the a/c went off. We shut it down in the parking lot, and after a brief cool down we limped it home.
While at home I called Onstar for a diagnostic. Code was p1258--severe engine overheating. We have had it towed to the dealership for diagnostic. The vehicle has 52K miles on it. Didn't have an issue before the transmission work was done.
My questions are 1. What can be the cause of this engine overheating? 2. Could this be directly related to the work performed by the dealer? 3. Is it covered under warranty (we have the extended warranty)? 4. Why did it say the oild needs to be changed now when I just had it changed about a month ago?

Thanks for your assistance.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 1:42 PM

9 Replies

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

It's very possible that the technician drained the coolant and forgot to fill it back up or left a fan unplugged but that may be hard to determine for sure.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 2:53 PM

RIZICH2001

MEMBER

I just got a call from the dealership and they said there was no coolant in the system at all. That explains the overheating. Is it necessary to drain the coolant when performing the work to the power train control module?

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 3:01 PM

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

It's hard to say but there should be an extremely large leak somewhere if that is true.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 3:04 PM

RIZICH2001

MEMBER

Service manager at alternate dealership said the coolant was empty. Coolant levels were fine before the vehicle was put in for the transmission service. No leaks detected.

Why would the coolant be drained to work on the transmission?

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 3:08 PM

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

There can be dozens of reasons. Most likely there was a hose in the way that had to be removed.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 3:11 PM

RIZICH2001

MEMBER

Ok, I was just wondering how something so important could be overlooked. Seems extremely odd to me but there is no way I can prove that they drained the coolant. And the original dealership is already complaining that they did nothing wrong. Nice.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 3:16 PM

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

Unless the 2nd dealer can show you where it leaked from, you can assume the 1st one didn't refill it. I would get my documentation together and set up an appt. With the Service Manager of the 1st dealer.